KFC SuperCoach NRL: Sangster, Wilson and Rob pick their best player at each position

Looking for some help picking your SuperCoach side? Tom, Wilson and Rob have rated their top picks for each position.

There are only two players who received the perfect nine points when Tom, Wilson and Rob ranked the three best picks at each position for KFC SuperCoach NRL 2022 - and one of those was a shock.

Keep in mind these aren’t necesarily the absolute best players at the position, rather the boys have assigned their 3/2/1 votes looking for that magic SuperCoach blend of ability and value.

NRL Rd 12 - Rabbitohs v Eels

HOOKER

TOM

3. Damien Cook

2. Harry Grant

1. Chris Randall

Damien Cook is a clear standout in this position for mine. While the crowd is going with Harry Grant, plenty of KFC SuperCoaches are forgetting he’s suspended for round one. From a KFC SuperCoach perspective, Cook became a “shoveler” in recent seasons, his role often diminished to merely passing to Adam Reynolds and co. But with Reynolds having left, Cook takes on a more attacking role, which can only be good for KFC SuperCoach. Cameron McInnes is a great buy too but more valuable in a thin 2RF position. Fingers crossed Randall emerges as a cheapie because it’s slim pickings behind him.

WILSON

3. Harry Grant

2. Damien Cook

1. Chris Randall

While I am a big fan of Damien Cook’s attacking upside this year, I’d still prioritise getting Harry Grant if possible (despite his Round 1 suspension) as I see him finishing well on top of the hookers this year if he stays fit. The problem is you need a starting option for Round 1, so fingers crossed Chris Randall actually gets a starting role in Newcastle. Cook is cheaper than Grant but is also less predictable given his inconsistency in 2021.

ROB

3: Damien Cook

2: Harry Grant

1: Cam McInnes

I have nominated all premiums here because with a bona-fide cheapie in Chris Randall to fill out the position I think the money should be spent. In my first iteration of my team I had Harry Grant ahead, but Cook’s value, and his assurance that he expects to run the ball more in 2022 has swayed me to the Rabbitoh. Cam McInnes makes plenty of appeal at the price and with his DPP flexibility but as a pure hooker I prefer the players above him.

FINAL VERDICT

8 – Damien Cook

7 – Harry Grant

2 – Chris Randall

1 – Cameron McInnes

FRONT-ROW FORWARD

TOM

3. Payne Haas

2. Stefano Utoikamanu

1. Tevita Pangai

With Turbo and Cleary so expensive and Grant suspended, there aren’t too many really obvious guns in 2022, especially not in the forwards. But Payne Haas is one. He averaged 68 last season despite “down” year, which highlights just how damn good he is. Like many rookie props, Utoikamanu was eased into action last year, but came home with a 66 average in the final eight rounds as he built up minutes. While tries were a factor, I’m still confident he can average 60 despite being priced on a season average of 52. I’m excited about Pangai this year following whispers he could play as an 80 minute edge back rower.

WILSON

3. Payne Haas

2. Tevita Pangai

1. Stefano Utoikamanu

While Isaiah Papali’i is too expensive to consider starting with for me, I still feel like you have to start with at least one outright gun front rower and Haas comes at a slight discount on his 2021 price. TPJ is one of the next best at this price range (although I prefer him at 2RF) given the inconsistency of guys like James Fisher-Harris and Josh Papalii. Christian Welch has gone down in my ranking following news of Nelson Asofa-Solomona’s return to Storm training. Stefano Utoikamanu is arguably the best value pick at FRF after a barnstorming end to the 2021 season.

ROB

3 – Payne Haas

2 – Stefano Utoikamanu

1 – Christian Welch

In version 1.0 of my team I had Storm bookend Welch as my premium FRF, in version 2.0 I found the money to upgrade him to Haas and am happy I did so. The big Bronco is a SuperCoach scoring metronome knocking out scores in the 60-80 range with seemingly effortless monotony. Welch is a fine alternative if you need to save cash, and find a POD, and I think his best is yet to come in terms of SC, but Haas is better. The meat in my oh so meaty FRF sandwich is a young prop in the rise in Stefano Utoikamanu who was promoted to the Wests Tigers starting lineup in round 18 last year and absolutely beasted it. Over the eight games he started Stefano averaged 65.9PPG. He averaged 48PPG in base at a BPPM rate of 0.85. Priced at a 52PPG average, he’s a lock for mine.

FINAL VERDICT

9 – Payne Haas

5 – Stefano Utoikamanu

2 – Tevita Pangai

1 – Christian Welch

Cronulla recruit Cameron McInnes scored votes in all three teams. Picture: Jonathan Ng

SECOND-ROW FORWARD

TOM

3. Angus Crichton

2. Cameron McInnes

1. Isaiah Papali’i

Crichton is arguably the most consistent player in the position over the last half decade with season averages of 69, 69, 57, 76 and 75. McInnes represents value given is priced on an average of 60 despite averaging 76 and 68 in his previous two seasons, although I’m keen to assess his role and mobility in the trials following a return from an ACL Injury.

WILSON

3. Cam McInnes

2. Tevita Pangai

1. Josh Schuster

Unlike past years the 2RF landscape is looking pretty thin in terms of great value guns. Obviously the likes of David Fifita, Angus Crichton, Isaiah Papali’i and Cameron Murray are all fantastic, but are all extremely expensive and if you want to be able to afford someone like Cleary and still go double guns at fullback you’ll need to look elsewhere. McInnes is coming back from an ACL injury, but does come at a massive discount considering he was the 8th highest point scorer in 2020. I’m going with TPJ at 2RF instead of FRF (because I have a few other value picks in my front row), but love the upside of him if he gets big minutes at the Bulldogs. Josh Schuster is just an absolute wild pick for me, with my inner Manly fan getting the best of me.

ROB

3 – David Fifita

2 – Cameron McInnes

1 – Keaon Koloamatangi

Some may be put off Fifita by his reduced minutes over the back half of 2021 where he was used off the bench for a number of games. While that’s far from ideal, Fifita still managed to average 73PPG from just 57MPG. Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook has tipped Fifita to regain his starting role thanks to the big man having a full pre-season under his belt, and Fifita recently spoke of the benefits that he is feeling after an uninterrupted pre-season. Lock that in thanks. McInnes is a freaking workhorse who will tackle everything in sight and is crafty in attack. Playing 13 for his new club, at a discount thanks to missing 2021 through injury and with handy dual position all he needs is to show me he’s ready in the trials. In 2021, Koloamatangi averaged just under 47 base points per game. He’s not a bargain, but what you are paying for here is a very good young edge second row who I feel will develop into one of the game’s elite at the position.

FINAL VERDICT

7 – Cameron McInnes

3 – Angus Crichton

3 – David Fifita

2 – Tevita Pangai

1 – Isaiah Papali’i

1 – Josh Schuster

1 – Keaon Koloamatangi

Lachlan Ilias received the three votes from Tom. Picture: NRL PHOTOS

HALFBACK

TOM

3. Lachlan Ilias

2. Daly Cherry-Evans

1. Nicho Hynes

There is no standout gun here (sorry Nathan Cleary) so my first player picked is a cheapie. Ilias is all but confirmed to play halfback at the Rabbitohs and is an obvious bargain. But finding a keeper is far more difficult. I haven’t started a season Nathan Cleary in a long time, but he’s not even in my top three this year given he’s expensive, not yet confirmed for round one and is coming back from a serious shoulder injury. Meanwhile, DCE is one of the better PODs in KFC SuperCoach 2022, only owned by 3.1 per cent despite a season average of 79.32.       

WILSON

3. Nathan Cleary

2. Daly Cherry-Evans

1. Luke Keary

Halfback is a very interesting position this year, with some of the greatest range we’ve had in years. Obviously Nathan Cleary is the best option, but he’s also the second most expensive player in the game and has some question marks over his fitness for Round 1. But if he’s fit, he’s in my team. Daly Cherry-Evans will be a massive POD yet again in 2022, despite ending the year as sixth overall point scorer. If Turbo fires again this year, Daly Cherry-Evans will be a beneficiary. And Luke Keary was on track for a great SuperCoach season in 2021 before doing his ACL (with an average of 75.3) and I have a really good feeling about the Roosters attack in 2022.

ROB

3 – Nathan Cleary

2 – Lachlan Ilias

1- Shaun Johnson

Putting Cleary in your team is a major investment. Is it worth it? Of course – with a but. A healthy Cleary is 20-30PPG better than any other player at the position. But the risk is huge too with Cleary having off-season shoulder surgery. There’s a counter risk in not having Cleary of course – even if he drops 10% of value you’ll still need to find several hundred thousand dollars to upgrade your halfback to him – and you will need to do that upgrade at some point. If named to play, and ideally if we see him play even just half a game in a trial, I’ll find a way to fit Cleary in – he’s that good. Ilias gets my two points, not because he’s the second best halfback but because he looks to be a great cheapie with good job security. Coach Demetriou has backed the youngster to play halfback and while it will be a very secondary role to Cody Walker who will run the show, at his price and with DPP he’s a must. Johnson is a gamble. He’s not a youngster and he has injury history. But for mine he’s the best blend of value and upside (especially if kicking goals at the Warriors) if you don’t pick Cleary – ooh it’s risky though.

FINAL VERDICT

6 – Nathan Cleary

5 – Lachlan Ilias

4 – Daly Cherry-Evans

1. Nicho Hynes

1. Luke Keary

1- Shaun Johnson

FIVE-EIGHTH

TOM

3. Jackson Hastings

2. Talatau Amone

1. Cameron Munster

Five-eighth is a tough position for guns so I’m inclined to go cheap. Jackson Hastings seems to have developed as a player and person in the Super League. He’s priced around $100,000 cheaper than his last season in the NRL in 2016 when he averaged 52. In a position lacking bottom dollar cheapies, Amone is the closest thing after being all but confirmed the five-eighth spot at the Dragons. Cameron Munster is a completely underrated POD at four per cent ownership. Make sure you have cover for round one given he’s suspended, but expect a huge season following the white powder scandal and stint in rehab.

WILSON

3. Jackson Hastings

2. Josh Schuster

1. Luke Keary

Five-eighth is probably the hardest position to fill for KFC SuperCoaches in 2022, with the only real standouts being Cody Walker (who I’m tipping to regress) and Cameron Munster (who misses Round 1). So I’ve decided to go with guns at other positions and look for value at five-eighth, and Jackson Hastings could just be the ultimate value pick here if he starts. As I mentioned in my 2RF analysis I’m a big fan of Josh Schuster this year and he does still retain his 5/8 dual eligibility, so it is an option. And like I said above, I have a good feeling about Luke Keary this year after his terrific start to the season in 2021.

ROB

3 – Jackson Hastings

2 – Talatau Amone

1- Cameron Munster

This is another one of those – not best player but is best value – picks. Hastings is a willing defender, likes a run, has a neat close range kicking game and will likely be goalkicking for the club. When Amone was given the chance to play five-eighth in the NRL (Rounds 23-25 last year — including matches against the Roosters and Rabbitohs) he averaged a very respectable 53PPG of which 25PPG came in base. Pencilled in to start in 2022 if that pencil become ink he profiles as a very handy moneymaker. And money will be needed to upgrade to the like of Cameron Munster. Last year, by his own admission, Munster’s off-field life was far from the best. And yet, the Storm playmaker still averaged 74PPG. Off the booze, out of rehab, Munster could do anything in 2022 and while he misses round one due to suspension if the form is as good as it can be he’ll be the dominant 5/8 come season end.

FINAL VERDICT

9 – Jackson Hastings

4 – Talatau Amone

2 – Cameron Munster

2 – Josh Schuster

1 – Luke Keary

Euan Aitken received votes from every judge. Picture: NRL Photos

CENTRE/WING

TOM

3. Euan Aitken

2. Will Penisini

1. Joseph Suaalii

Aitken is the only gun I’m considering in the position, with CTW slots saved almost exclusively for cheapies (I may even select Aitken in the back row and swing him to CTW later, just so I can fit in more cheapies in the backline). Aitken averaged a keeper-like 80.8 in the back row last year but is priced on a 55.4 season average. Penisini was great in the finals last year and is as locked-in a cheapie as we have in KFC SuperCoach 2022, while Suaalii is also an obvious pick given he is frontrunner for a wing spot at the Roosters.

WILSON

3. Euan Aitken

2. David Nofoaluma

1. Kotoni Staggs

Of all the positions, CTW is the one I think you absolutely cannot justify going expensive at since the bets options are just too expensive. There are several mid-range CTW’s this year I really like the look of, probably the best being Euan Aitken who went to another level after shifting to the backrow. However if he reverts back to the centres (given the Warriors injury woes), I’m less interested. Speaking of mid-rangers, Nofoaluma starts the season at a whopping $202k discount on his 2021 price after some very mixed scores to end the year, but he did still score 60+ point in nine games last year and still has a lot of upside. Staggs played just four games in 2021, but averaged 62 points and I’m expecting the Broncos attack to be better in 2022.

ROB

3 – Zac Lomax

2 – Will Penisini

1 – Euan Aitken

Lomax at just under $500K feels like a premium for a mid-size price. Lomax’s 2021 was bedevilled by injury with the star centre playing just 12 games and finishing only 11 of those. In games he played the full 80, Lomax averaged 61.4PPG, and in 2020 when injury free he averaged 68PPG. Sure he lacks the base stat certainty that Aitken brings when playing 2RF, but Warriors coach Nathan Brown has spoken about his intent to move Aitken between 2RF and CTW during the season and possibly within games. That’s a worry and the reason I slid Aitken down to third in my pecking order. Penisini is the cheapie darling between the guns. Penisini looks to be well placed in the race to secure a starting job in the centres for the Eels to start 2022. In his three regular season games at centre in 2021 Penisini impressed with a strong workrate and solid defensive stats.

FINAL VERDICT

7 – Euan Aitken

4 – Will Penisni

3 – Zac Lomax

2 – David Nofoaluma

1 – Kotoni Staggs

1 – Joseph Suaalii

Ryan Papenhuyzen of the Storm just pipped James Tedesco in our rankings. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

FULLBACK

TOM

3. Ryan Papenhuyzen

2. James Tedesco

1. Kalyn Ponga

Tom Trbojevic is a no-go at the price. It’s hard to see him going any better after such a stellar season, while there is plenty of improvement left in both Papenhuyzen (who only averaged 60 minutes last year) and Tedesco (who was close to a one-man team at stages last year due to a huge injury toll at the Roosters). Ponga at just 6.7 per cent ownership is the dark horse.

WILSON

3. James Tedesco

2. Ryan Papenhuyzen

1. Kalyn Ponga

As much as I tried to fit him into my team I’m also against starting with Tom Trbojevic to start the year, as the price just leaves the rest of your team worse off. However, James Tedesco and Ryan Papenhuyzen combined will cost you just $200k more than Turbo and should net you a similar amount of points and is the way I think most SuperCoaches should go. That being said fullback is stacked this year, with Kalyn Ponga and Reece Walsh coming in at under $600k, while there’s some decent mid-rangers like Tyrell Sloan, Daine Laurie, Jayden Campbell. However, I think Fullback is the one position you should go out of your way to get two absolute guns.

ROB

3 – Ryan Papenhuyzen

2 – James Tedesco

1 – Tom Trbojevic

Papenhuyzen averaged 115.7 in the seven games he played the full 80 mins at fullback in 2021 and there’s no Nicho Hynes floating around to poach his minutes in 2022 so provided he can avoid the dreaded HIA he’s a great get. And you know who had the second-best average at position in 2021? James Tedesco. Super Teddy has produced season averages of 84, 95 and 87 in the past three years – too good to leave out. Speaking of Good, Tommy Turbo went okay last year. You can’t have him at the price or you sacrifice too much elsewhere, but you can only pick two fullbacks anyways so I’m having Turbo as my number three here. Ps I would have wanted to shoehorn Latrell Mitchell in too – he’s likely to take over the goalkicking at the Rabbitohs when he returns from suspension and if he does will shoot straight into elite SC fullback territory.

FINAL VERDICT

8 – Ryan Papenhuyzen

7 – James Tedesco

2 – Kalyn Ponga

1 – Tom Trbojevic

Originally published as KFC SuperCoach NRL: Sangster, Wilson and Rob pick their best player at each position